Definition of FAN

4. Noun. A hand-held device consisting of concertinaed material, or slats of material, gathered together at one end, that may be opened out into the shape of a sector of a circle and waved back and forth in order to move air towards oneself and cool oneself. ¹

7. Verb. (transitive) To blow air on (something) by means of a fan (hand-held, mechanical or electrical) or otherwise. ¹

8. Verb. (transitive) To slap (a behind, especially). ¹

9. Verb. (intransitive usually '''to fan out''') To move or spread in multiple directions from one point, in the shape of a hand-held fan. ¹

10. Noun. An admirer or aficionado, especially of a sport or performer; someone who is fond of something or someone; an admirer. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of FAN

1. to cool or refresh with a fan (a device for putting air into motion) [v FANNED, FANNING, FANS]

Medical Definition of FAN

1.
1. To move as with a fan. "The air . . . Fanned with unnumbered plumes." (Milton)
2. To cool and refresh, by moving the air with a fan; to blow the air on the face of with a fan.
3. To ventilate; to blow on; to affect by air put in motion. "Calm as the breath which fans our eastern groves." (Dryden)
4. To winnow; to separate chaff from, and drive it away by a current of air; as, to fan wheat.
5. To excite or stir up to activity, as a fan axcites a flame; to stimulate; as, this conduct fanned the excitement of the populace. Fanning machine, or Fanning mill, a machine for separating seed from chaff, etc, by a blast of air; a fanner.
Origin: Cf. OF. Vanner, L. Vannere. See Fan, Van a winnowing machine.
1. An instrument used for producing artificial currents of air, by the wafting or revolving motion of a broad surface; as: An instrument for cooling the person, made of feathers, paper, silk, etc, and often mounted on sticks all turning about the same pivot, so as when opened to radiate from the center and assume the figure of a section of a circle.
Any revolving vane or vanes used for producing currents of air, in winnowing grain, blowing a fire, ventilation, etc, or for checking rapid motion by the resistance of the air; a fan blower; a fan wheel.
An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.
Something in the form of a fan when spread, as a peacock's tail, a window, etc.
A small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of a smock windmill always in the direction of the wind. "Clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan." (Is. Xxx. 24)
2. That which produces effects analogous to those of a fan, as in exciting a flame, etc.; that which inflames, heightens, or strengthens; as, it served as a fan to the flame of his passion.
3. A quintain; from its form. Fan blower, a wheel with vanes fixed on a rotating shaft inclosed in a case or chamber, to create a blast of air (fan blast) for forge purposes, or a current for draft and ventilation; a fanner. Fan cricket, an elaborate system of vaulting, in which the ribs diverge somewhat like the rays of a fan, as in Henry VII.'s chapel in Westminster Abbey. It is peculiar to English Gothic. Fan wheel, the wheel of a fan blower. Fan window. Same as Fan light (above).
Origin: AS. Fann, fr. L. Vannus fan, van for winnowing grain; cf. F. Van. Cf. Van a winnowing machine, Winnow.
Source: Websters Dictionary
(01 Mar 1998)

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